O'Hearn, Royals end Tigers' 7-game winning streak, 5-3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn hit a three-run homer and Carlos Santana also connected as the Kansas City Royals beat Detroit 5-3 Friday night, ending the Tigers’ seven-game winning streak.

The Tigers had been 7-0 since the All-Star break. It was their longest winning string since an eight-game run in 2016.

Kansas City has won three in a row for the first time since June 4.

Kris Bubic (3-4) gave up one earned run and six hits in six innings. He ended his outing by getting Jeimer Candelario to ground into a double play with the bases loaded.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 23: Carlos Santana #41 of the Kansas City Royals hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium on July 23, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

"I think the ability to relax and got off to a good start," Bubic said. "I was much better and landed all three pitches tonight. I felt good and the defense was unbelievable."

Greg Holland got his seventh save.

"I was happy to see Kris challenge and attack the zone and the guys backed him up in the field," Royals manager Mike Matheny said. "He set the tone today."

O’Hearn hit his eighth homer, giving the Royals a 4-1 lead in the fourth.

"I’ve hit some balls here that would be out at other places," O’Hearn said. "I just told myself not try to do too much."

Santana hit his 16th homer, a drive that barely made it over the right field fence in the fifth. Wily Peralta (3-2) hadn’t given up a hit against lefties on hos slider (0 for 30) before Santana connected.

Peralta went 5 2/3 innings and gave up five runs, five hits, three walks and four strikeouts. It’s tied for the most runs he’s given up all season.

Willi Castro homered in the Detroit third.

"He’s been very comfortable since coming back," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "He was swinging well in Triple-A and we all know when he gets hot it’s something to see."

Whit Merrifield hit an RBI single to tie it at 1.

ROSTER MOVES

Kansas City: Sent INF/OF Ryan McBroom to Omaha and called up RHP Domingo Tapia.

UP NEXT

Casey Mize (5-5, 3.44) starts for the Tigers against Carlos Hernandez (1-1, 4.91) for Kansas City.